‘It’s beyond anything you can comprehend’: Sam Armytage gets emotional during return to Sunrise as she tours regions affected by the bushfires via helicopter
Australia’s bushfire crisis continued across the South East on Monday, with 175 blazes burning across New South Wales and Victoria.
And returning from their Christmas break, the Sunrise panel were less than their upbeat selves while discussing the devastation of the mega infernos.
Host Samantha Armytage become emotional as she recounted an aerial tour she took to survey some of the worst-hit areas on the South Coast.
‘It’s beyond anything you can comprehend’: Sam Armytage gets emotional during return to Sunrise as she tours regions affected by the bushfires via helicopter
‘It is really just unbelievable and you get an idea of the devastation from the air,’ Sam said, as footage was shown on screen from within the helicopter.
The TV journalist said as a warning to viewers: ‘I can tell you, nothing really prepares for this and there is still very poor visibility because there are still fires burning.’
‘It makes me feel emotional thinking about it,’ Sam said, as she composed herself to give out more details to her co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch.
‘You get an idea of the devastation from the air’: The TV journalist was seen in footage surveying the burnt landscape below from within a helicopter
‘It’s horrifying’: David ‘Kochie’ Koch also appeared saddened by the news, and was deeply affected by the amount of wildlife lost in the bushfires
Sam’s voice wavered as she described: ‘It’s just black sticks of trees left as far as the eyes can see, the fire has burnt across the sand and into the water.’
‘There are still little flames on the edge of the ocean, there is no one down there. It is so sad.’
Kochie and Sam then both sighed, as Kochie added: ‘And just, the animals that have been lost on the side of the roads and wondering aimlessly.’
It is estimated half a billion native animals have been lost so far, with fears koalas could soon become extinct.
‘It’s beyond anything you can comprehend,’ Sam said, as Kochie agreed: ‘It’s horrifying.’
State of emergency: Sunrise’s rival breakfast show Today came back two days earlier than schedule to report on the ongoing bushfire crisis
Meanwhile, Sunrise’s rival breakfast show Today came back two days earlier than schedule to report on the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Nine’s new hosting panel, including Karl Stefanovic and Allison ‘Alli’ Langdon worked through the weekend to deliver news to their viewers.
Sunrise airs from 5.30am weekdays on Seven
Tune in: Sunrise airs from 5.30am weekdays on Seven